Map the Story - "Holy Family College, Abak (HOFACO)"

Greetings Distinguished readers and welcome to my blog. @pennsif has made us crossed paths today via the #Steematlas project. I will be presenting to us a college known for its maximum esteem and rating among its contemporaries. Holy Family College is the name of this prestigious institution.

Background and Historical Significance

Holy Family College popularly known as "HOFCA", Abak, is a Catholic Secondary School designed for boys and is situated in Oku Abak, along Ikot Abasi Road, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The school was established in the year 1942 by the Irish missionary bishop by name Most Rev. James Moynagh during his missionary journey in Nigeria. History reveals that the school was established with the aim of training Africans and indoctrinating them into Christianity .

HOFACO happens to be the first secondary school in the entire Annang region and was originally under the Catholic diocese of Calabar, and currently it is administered under the Catholic diocese of Ikot Ekpene. In addition to indoctrinating Africans into Christianity, the school was also designed with a holistic vision of providing sound education, intellectual, and good sporitual foundations to the young boys of then south easternregion of Nigeria.

[A rare view of the College Admin Block]

Records holds that for the past 80 years of its existence, HOFACO has remained an emblem of academic excellence, discipline and a domain to upheld and hold strictly to Catholic values and teachings. The motto of the college "In Virtue Robur" (In Virtue lies strength), continues to empower it's mission of grooming and bringing up young men who would in the nearest future be highly beneficial to their community, country and the world at large.

Environment and Geographical Layout

HOFCA is one the largest of not the most largest college in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The college is surrounded with large forested area and farmlands making it an ideal location for the college of such caliber.

The conducive and serene environment of the school is duly rooted on this premised. The geographical nature of the college as well gives students the ability to relate and have a closer contact with nature. The school cleanliness is something I would not love to let go in a haste and the it's peace surrounding gives more meaning to what academic should be.

Academic Building and Classrooms

The academic structure of the school is divided into two distinct arms; the junior secondary section ranging from JSS1 to JSS3 and the senior Secondary section ranging from SSS1 to SSS2.

The classroom are well spacious storey buildings and are naturally ventilated. I addition to this, each classroom is characterized by a white board, good fans and lighting system. It also has wooden desks, tiled floor and a manageable class size.

Library

Taking Into consideration the importance of reading and discovering knowledge, the school management provides an avenue were students go to read and research especially during break, holidays, preps and vacation periods. HOFACO library has served as an hub to all lovers of knowledge within the Abak axis.

It contains array of textbooks on different subjects, journals, magazines, newspaper and newsletters. Most of these literatures are written by indigenous and authors while foreign authors contributes thus, making the library a cradle of knowledge.

Historical documents, story books and encyclopedia coupled with literature are arrays I would not love to skip mentioning. Students go here to read under the auspicious of the librarian.

HOFACO'S Laboratory

Just like the library, HOFACO being a citadel of for grooming and making scientists, the college is well equipped with a science laboratory equipped with man scientific apparatus. The science laboratory is divided into three sections including; Chemistry sector, Physics sector and Biology sector.

[A rare view of the locked laboratory building]|

Each of these laboratories consist of well equipped facilities, models, good drainage, bright lightening, adequate ventilation and long stools and long tables whose surface is resistant to heat, chemicals and water. In addition to the science laboratory, Holy family college has a computer laboratory commonly called "HOFACO Digital arena".

The ambience of the college is neat and well decorated with good painting, fans, window line, and tiled floor. Each computer is connected to a solar inverter which ensures a constant power supply to the room. These labs provide crucial assimilation of hands on experience for the continuous unfolding of Science Education in the school.

Assembly Hall and Worship Facilities

A defining feature of Holy Family College is its Assembly Hall, a multipurpose building used for morning assemblies, debates, indoor sports, drama, academic seminars, and visiting lectures. This large, auditorium-like hall seats hundreds of students and is also the venue for examinations and parents–teachers meetings.

[The Church building]

Adjacent to the assembly hall is the school chapel, where daily Mass, rosary, Stations of the Cross, and catechism classes are held. Catholic doctrine is a major part of the school’s ethos, and students of all faiths are encouraged to imbibe the moral lessons taught during spiritual activities.

Water Supply and Sanitation Facilities

In regards to the school sanitation, HOFACO takes this in maximum regards as they provide good water system for the smooth running of the school convenience, farm, laboratory works, and other general cleaning. The water is distributed at various points within the college compound. The major supply of water include; borehole and a centrally situated water tank used for water storage.

This water is always made available 24/7 and it's used most especially by the hostel occupants and lover of extracurricular activities. The strategized water points are highly useful for drinking and washing.

In addition to this water are good convenient rooms and multiple wash hand points used basically for relieve. The clean nature of the rest room makes it a near home to stay due to its proper and routine maintenance all through the year.

Canteen and cafeteria

The Holy family's canteen and cafeteria are places set aside for recreation. This is the domain for balance diet. This takes me back to my secondary school education where I would always missed lectures so as to eat a certain woman moi moi during break.

[locked canteen building]

HOFACO'S restaurant stands out from the crowd due to its array of snacks and different varieties of food. In addition to food and snacks, stationary, printing and duplicating are things obtained from the canteen. Here, meals are served under the supervision of the canteen master and nutritionist so as to ensure nutritional balance.

Hostel and Boarding Facilities

HOFACO being a well recognized and sorted after college attracts many people from far and near to the school so as to acquire knowledge. With this, the management creates a conducive and serene environment were students can board. Actually, HOFACO is primarily a boarding school, though fee students are always accommodated based on proximity.

[Hostel section]

Specifically, the boarding facilities comprises of an hostel block arranged by houses and labelled "Monaghan House, Conolly House, Independence House, St. Thomas house, Ekanem House to mention but a few. Inside the hostel are sleeping bunks and foams, chairs and tables, good and serene bathrooms, reading area and relaxation corner. The hostel is highly secured under the auspicious of the hostel master also known as the boarding master.

Recreational Facilities: Felds, audio video and semi-forest

At some point, this feature of the school makes it looks like a near relaxation zone. Highly decorated flowers, trees and open field are crucial part of the school I would not dare skip. The school field is always used for sporting activities and most importantly the HOFACO'S ultimate inter House sport and inter class football tournament.

The standard nature of the field attracts not students to come to the school for sports. In addition to football matches, athletes uses this field for other field events such as races, lawn tennis and table tennis. Meanwhile there's also place places designated to this games.

Farmland and Gardens

Just behind the dormitories, beside the field and behind the Admin block are good parcel of farm land and gardens used by the school management for the planting and Cultivation of varieties of crops such as; cucumber, cassava, tomatoes, and other varieties of crops. This crops are not only for domestic use but for commercial purposes.

In addition to domestic and commercial usage, it also serves as a nice location for Agricultural students to practice what they are taught in class. Here, students learn the things taught in class. This process is achieved through I.T schemes and practical experiences in the farm. The poultry and piggery section are another important segments of the school environment.

The HOFACO'S semi forest is situated at the western end of the college compound and is used Basil for nature work, biology field practicals, field trip and as a source of oxygen for the college since green plants and tree serves as good sources of oxygen.

In addition, the trees also serves as shades thus creating an ambient relaxation center.

Technical and Mechanical services

The effectiveness of the school computer room and modern laboratory facilities would not be effectively used. With this, the school management makes provision for a power house containing a sound engine for electrical supply.

[engine room]

In addition the aforementioned, there is also a solar system which powers the computer house. The Gen is always on every evening for those students staying on campus and most time on when need be. With the power generator, the school laboratory works move smoothly and the security lights scares away all of evil that may intend to perpetuate the school.

Extra-currucular activities

Taking into consideration that all works but no play made Jake to be dull, the school provides series of activities ranging from football club, JETS (Junior Engineers Technicians Scientists) club, dramatic club, choral group prayer group. To mention but a few.

In addition to these, there is an alumni association comprising of all old and new students of the college. It is worthy to end this piece my identifying potential leaders, heros and heroin ls who are products of this institution. Among the different alumni include; Cardinal Dominic Ekanem, Donald Etiebiet, Prof E. U Essien - Udom to mention but a few.

Summarily, posterity would not forgive me if I should fail to acknowledge the fact HOFACO is not just a college, but a formative environment were souls are mould and and leaders are made.
I invite @alexanderpeace, @impersonal, @ngoenyi and @solperez to share places of their interest.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING

Contact them on Facebook
Contact their website
Check out the school via Google map